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Alaska trucking is a lifeline for the state’s residents and industries. It delivers essential supplies—groceries, clothing, tools, and more—to communities across Alaska and plays a critical role in transporting the inventory, materials, and equipment that power the economy.
If your business depends on freight transportation in Alaska, understanding how Alaska trucking works will help you navigate shipping challenges, minimize delays, and control costs. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to manage freight successfully in the Last Frontier.
Why Alaska Relies on Trucking
46%
percentage of domestic freight moved by truck
Alaska trucking is essential in a state where 82% of communities are not accessible by road. The state’s harsh climate and remote geography create significant transportation challenges, but over-the-road trucking remains a key mode for moving goods.
In fact, 27% of all imported and exported commodities in Alaska move by truck. When you consider domestic freight alone, that number jumps to 46%.
Over-the-Road Freight to and from Alaska
When used in combination with air freight and ocean freight, trucking acts as a vital link to get incoming freight to its final destination in Alaska—or to move outgoing freight to a seaport or airport.
The ALCAN Highway serves as the main route for over-the-road Alaska trucking between the lower 48 and the state. Some of this freight has its origin or final destination in Canada, one of Alaska’s major trading partners. Other freight merely passes through Canada as it moves between Alaska and the lower 48.
Some Alaska trucking providers leverage two-driver teams to move freight between Alaska and the lower 48. This can mean transit times of as little as seven days from Dallas, Texas to Anchorage or Fairbanks. Deliveries to Prudhoe Bay take an additional day (or longer, depending on the weather).
Alaska Trucking Tip: The ALCAN runs through the upper reaches of British Columbia and the Yukon. Severe weather along the ALCAN can significantly impact over-the-road transit times. Be prepared to stay flexible on your timing if you’re expecting freight moving via the ALCAN—especially during the winter months.
Alaska Trucking Within the State
Communities in Alaska’s Interior like Fairbanks, Delta Junction, North Pole, and Tok—as well as Denali Park and Eielson Air Force Base—all rely on over-the-road freight via Alaska’s highway system. Additionally, trucking keeps Alaska’s Southcentral communities like Palmer, Eagle Creek, Wasilla, and Seward supplied.
In the Far North, Alaska trucking is critical for delivering supplies to the North Slope’s oil fields. If you’ve ever watched Ice Road Truckers, you’ve gotten a sense of how just treacherous the Dalton Highway can be—and what a critical role it plays in moving freight to Alaska’s remote north.
What Trucking Services Are Available in Alaska?
Despite the remoteness of the state, a full slate of trucking services is available within Alaska, including:
FTL (Full-Truckload) Service
LTL (Less-than-Truckload) Service
Temperature-Controlled Transportation / Refrigerated Service / Reefers
Hazardous Materials
Heavy Haul
Oversized Loads
Heavy Haul & Oversized Loads
Given the needs of Alaska’s prevalent oil and gas industry, requests for heavy haul and oversized loads are common. The mining and forestry industry also often has a need to move equipment, machinery, and materials over Alaska’s road systems, and some of these loads may be classified as overweight or oversized.
Overweight and oversized loads are regulated both at the federal level by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and at the state level by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.
Oversize or Overweight Loads
Federal regulations set a maximum 102″ width limitation for vehicles that travel on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Additionally, federal regulations also dictate the following maximum weights:
- 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
- 20,000 pound single axle weight
- 34,000 pound tandem axle weight
Loads that exceed these specs are considered oversized/overweight.
Permits for these loads are obtained on the state level, and they’re required for every state the equipment has to travel through.
For more information on Alaska requirements for overweight/oversize loads, see the Permits Manual linked on this page from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities website. You’ll find all the details on permits, pilot/escort vehicles, superloads, darkness restrictions, and holiday restrictions.
If your load is moving through Canada, you’ll also need to observe provincial regulations for these loads. You’ll find links to information for Canadian commercial vehicle regulations on the Federal Highway Administration website.
As you can see, transporting overweight and oversized machinery to, from, and around Alaska can get complicated—fast. Partnering with an experienced Alaska trucking provider will help you stay compliant and avoid costly delays. Reach out to one of our experts if you need help moving an Alaska overweight or oversized load.
Understanding Alaska Trucking Challenges
Even if you’re not likely to get behind the wheel of a commercial truck in Alaska anytime soon, it’s still important for business owners to understand the challenges the trucking industry faces in Alaska. Knowing the pitfalls offers the opportunity for better planning, which can help mitigate problems such as delayed shipments or overspending on transportation costs.
Extreme Weather Conditions
Ice, snow, and sub-zero temperatures all affect Alaska trucking routes and timelines—especially along the ALCAN highway. Moving freight through these weather conditions requires the right expertise and the right equipment, so it’s important to choose your freight provider carefully.
Working closely with a freight forwarder or broker with significant Alaska experience will be vital for maintaining the integrity of your supply chain. An expert partner can help you plan your freight shipments carefully so, whenever possible, you’re going into the winter months with robust inventory and supplies. Additionally, the right partner can also assist with contingency planning so you have a fallback in case of a particularly disruptive weather event.
Seasonal Weight Restrictions
As the winter months start easing off, the spring breakup begins. This means seasonal weight restrictions to prevent damage to Alaska’s road system. A partner with skilled route planning capabilities is essential during these closures to avoid unexpected delays or supply chain disruptions.
Peak Summer Shipping Times
As spring continues, routes clear, and tourism starts to heat up, Alaska’s freight system returns to full operations, just in time to help businesses stock up for the busy summer months. Although availability will be at its peak during the summer months, so will demand. Work closely with your freight forwarder or broker to secure the freight timelines you need to keep your operation running smoothly.
Access to All Modes of Transportation
As important as trucking is to the state, it can’t do everything in Alaska. Many communities simply aren’t accessible by road, so freight has to travel by plane and boat. By using a single freight provider who can assist with your trucking, air cargo, and ocean freight needs, you’ll simplify your operations considerably. Access to multiple modes can also make for easier contingency planning.
Move Freight More Efficiently with Alaska Trucking Experts
Shipping freight in Alaska comes with unique challenges—extreme weather, remote destinations, and regulatory hurdles. By mastering the ins and outs of Alaska trucking, you’ll be equipped to manage freight more effectively and keep your operations running smoothly.
Need help moving freight to, from, or within Alaska? We offer comprehensive Alaska trucking solutions—along with air and ocean freight services—to simplify your logistics. Reach out to our team for a complimentary quote.
